Balatro
News, coverage and analysis tracking Balatro across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Backrooms to triple previous A24 opening weekend record at $85+ million
The film adaptation of the internet meme 'Backrooms' has achieved a massive opening weekend, grossing an estimated $85-$88 million, significantly surpassing A24's previous record holder, 'Civil War'. The film's success is noted for its connection to online gaming culture, with director Kane Parsons dreaming in 'Portals' and the film's environments appearing in games like 'Straftat' and 'Roblox'.
A private equity company has acquired Balatro publisher, Playstack
Integrated Media Company, which also owns Fandom, GameSpot, and Metacritic, has acquired Playstack, the publisher of the popular game Balatro. This acquisition marks a significant move in the gaming industry's business landscape.
6 Mom Gamer Picks Worth the Nap-Time Hour (2026) | TAG
This article provides a curated list of six games suitable for parents with limited playtime, specifically targeting the one-hour nap window. It highlights titles like Hades II, Slay the Spire 2, and Return of the Obra Dinn, emphasizing their suitability for short, focused gaming sessions on platforms like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
Balatro publisher Playstack only discovered it because they had a guy checking all the new releases on Steam every day:…
Playstack's head of discovery, Patrick Johnson, explained that the publisher found the hit indie game Balatro by manually checking new Steam releases daily. Despite Balatro having few wishlists initially, Playstack recognized its potential and reached out to developer LocalThunk. The article also mentions Playstack is in the process of being acquired by Integrated Media Company for $151 million.
Owner of Fandom and GameSpot looking to buy Playstack, the publisher of Balatro
VantageCo, a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company which owns Fandom and GameSpot, is looking to acquire an 84.5% stake in the publisher Playstack for £112.4 million. Playstack, known for publishing the award-winning game Balatro, is valued at £125 million. The deal is subject to shareholder approval, but Playstack's owner TruFin's board is recommending shareholders vote in favor.
Balatro publisher Playstack to be sold to GameSpot parent company for around $151 million
TruFin, the parent company of Balatro publisher Playstack, is selling its 84.5% stake in Playstack to VantageCo. VantageCo is a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company, the owner of GameSpot, for approximately $151 million.
Business and Finance
Playstack, the owner of Balatro, has been sold to the parent company of Fandom and GameSpot. Separately, NetEase reported a 6.9% increase in games revenue for Q1, reaching $3.7 billion.
Balatro publisher Playstack could soon belong to the same private equity firm that owns Fandom and GameSpot
Playstack, the publisher behind acclaimed indie titles like Balatro, is set to be acquired by Integrated Media Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm TPG. This move would place Playstack under the same ownership umbrella as Fandom and GameSpot. Despite Playstack's reported success, its current owner, TruFin, is encouraging shareholders to approve the approximately $151 million sale, citing capital allocation strategy.
Fandom and GameSpot owner set to buy Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company (IMC), owner of Fandom and Gamespot, has conditionally agreed to purchase Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro, from its current owner TruFin for approximately £112.4 million. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the change in ownership will not alter the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games. TruFin CEO James van den Bergh expressed confidence that IMC is an excellent platform for Playstack's future success.
The owners of Fandom and Gamespot want to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company, owner of Fandom and Gamespot, is set to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack for £112.4 million through its subsidiary VantageCo Limited. The deal, announced by Playstack owner TruFin, is pending shareholder approval. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the company's strategy and team will remain unchanged.
Balatro Publisher Playstack Is Being Sold to the Parent Company of GameSpot and Fandom
Playstack, the publisher of the hit game Balatro, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), which also owns Fandom and GameSpot. TruFin, Playstack's majority owner, announced the sale for approximately £112.4 million, with the deal valuing the company at around £125 million pending shareholder approval. Playstack's CEO stated that operations will continue as usual, with no change to the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games.
Balatro publisher Playstack sold to GameSpot and Fandom parent company
Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro and Abiotic Factor, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), the parent company of GameSpot and Fandom. The deal, announced by Playstack's current owner TruFin, values Playstack at approximately £125 million ($169 million). IMC is an investment group focused on entertainment brands.
5 Games for Paternity Leave Worth Your Time | TAG
This guide recommends five video games suitable for players on paternity leave, prioritizing one-handed play, interruptible sessions, and low mental load. Games like Balatro, Vampire Survivors, Slay the Spire 2, Hades II, and Stardew Valley are highlighted for their compatibility with the unpredictable nature of caring for a newborn. The article also offers advice on gaming etiquette and mental health during this period.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 supports Switch 2 Joy-Con mouse controls, but I really wouldn't recommend it
Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will feature Joy-Con mouse controls on the Nintendo Switch 2, a feature the author strongly advises against due to stability and comfort issues during intense gameplay. While the Joy-Cons are functional for casual use, a dedicated gaming mouse is recommended for a better experience.
Switch spring 2026 sale includes Silksong and more favorites
Nintendo is holding an Indie Sale offering discounts on numerous titles for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Notable games on sale include Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hollow Knight, UFO 50, Untitled Goose Game, Cuphead, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Balatro, Slay the Spire, and No Man's Sky. The sale runs until June 7.
Zenless Zone Zero 'copied my puzzle game,' indie dev says, posts a pretty convincing video to prove it
Indie developer Michael Kamm has accused miHoYo of copying his puzzle game Ouros for Zenless Zone Zero, providing video evidence of striking similarities in gameplay mechanics and design choices. Kamm claims his work was cloned and attributed to the larger company, highlighting the challenges indie developers face with intellectual property in the gaming industry. Similar accusations have also been made against miHoYo regarding Genshin Impact.
PS Plus Premium Users Get 40+ New PS5 Demo Trials from Today
Sony has added over 40 new indie game trials to PlayStation Plus Premium for PlayStation 5 users. These trials, which generally last between one and three hours, are available until June 10, 2026. The update significantly expands the selection of playable demos for subscribers.
8 Games You Can Pause Instantly When Baby Cries | TAG
This article highlights eight games that allow players to pause instantly, catering to the needs of parents who may need to step away from their game at a moment's notice. Games like Slay the Spire 2, Balatro, and Stardew Valley offer true instant pauses, while others like Hades II and Cyberpunk 2077 provide save-anywhere or quit-to-hub functionality. Baldur's Gate 3 is noted for allowing pauses even mid-combat.
The Parent Gamer's 2026 Survival Plan | TAG
This guide offers a survival plan for parents who want to continue gaming amidst the unpredictable demands of raising children. It emphasizes the importance of autosave features, flexible session lengths, and choosing games that accommodate short or interrupted playtimes, recommending titles like Stardew Valley, Balatro, and Hades II. The article also addresses the need for self-care, communication with partners, and selecting appropriate hardware like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.
What we've been playing - "I'd like to shout out a fun game you can only really do on the road"
Several individuals share their recent gaming experiences. Bertie discusses the impressive character musculature in Diablo 4's new expansion, Lord of Hatred, on PlayStation 5. Connor details playing Old School RuneScape on PC during a work trip and observing others play games like Balatro and Monopoly Go! on mobile. Kelsey mentions squeezing in sessions of Subnautica 2 on PC with friends despite moving house and the game being in Early Access.
